Remodel Masterclass: House of Flora

Summary

---

Dear Alice | Remodel Masterclass: House of Flora

Release Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Bennett (Jess), Suzanne Hall (Sue), Corey
Theme: Lessons in thoughtful, luxurious remodeling for empty-nester clients, with a detailed walk-through of Alice Lane’s “House of Flora” project.

---

Episode Overview

This episode continues the “Remodel Masterclass” series, focusing on the House of Flora, a Utah home redesigned for a client entering the empty-nester phase. The hosts walk through smart ways to reclaim and reinvent spaces for evolving lifestyles, sharing design insights, planning principles, and delightful details from the project.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing the House of Flora Project

• The client, an empty nester, wanted to transform her home to fit her current life stage, reclaiming and refreshing once kid-oriented spaces.
• The project focused on the upper level, particularly the primary suite and an office—areas with lingering “early 2000s” design challenges.

“As you transition from one phase of life to another, your space changes, the function of it changes. And she was really ready to move on and kind of reclaim this space for herself.”
— Sue (04:40)

---

2. Transforming the Standard Bedroom into a Dream Office

• Original State: A basic bedroom with a single window and a typical closet.
• Design Move: Eliminated the closet to maximize the room’s vantage point and storage by installing custom cabinetry, including:
  • A recessed, plum-colored built-in with antique mirrors, brass hardware, and sliding doors to conceal/expose a TV.
  • Open shelving to showcase the client’s eclectic collections.
  • A floating desk aligned with the window for inspiring views.
  • Space for a sofa, creating a multifunctional, personalized retreat.

"If you get rid of that irregular architecture and give yourself the most beautiful vantage point...you can come up with what looks like a recessed built in."
— Jess (05:42)

• Sensibility: Sue highlights that making a room fully your own, including using expressive colors and finishes, is a rare gift in a shared home.

“It’s just fully, fully her… It feels very custom.”
— Jess (08:31, 09:24)

---

3. Primary Suite Overhaul: Smarter Space, More Light, Modern Flow

• Before: Cramped, dated bathroom with 45-degree “clipped corners”, dark finishes, odd cabinetry layout, and a small, underwhelming shower and closet.
• Design Solution:
  • Combined the underused adjacent bedroom with the primary suite to create a large, functional space.
  • Extended the primary closet and added a generous new bathroom, featuring direct, unobstructed access to natural light and panoramic views.

“Taking over, especially an unused bedroom, if you do it right, you’re not going to lose value.”
— Corey (12:54)

• Layout Improvements:

  • Vanities moved in front of windows for maximum light and vistas.
  • Free-standing soaking tub and new “corner chair” for luxury & relaxation.
  • A drop-down vanity for seated grooming, beloved by the client and her granddaughter.

• Design Therapy: They note the emotional value and “new chapter” energy of transforming empty bedrooms—a particular help for those facing empty nest syndrome.

“There really is something therapeutic about moving into a new chapter of your home as you do this with your life.”
— Jess (14:18)

---

4. Custom Details & Designer Touches

• Floor Pattern:
  • Large format marble tiles in a custom “zipper” pattern; straight cuts make the process affordable but striking.
  • Rule: Use large-scale patterns in large rooms, small patterns in small spaces (e.g., penny tile in water closets/showers only).

“This is a custom pattern…simple cuts to be able to make a custom pattern. But the payoff is so huge.”
— Jess (19:44)

• Adding Softness:
  • Inclusion of a lounge chair and etagere in the bathroom, inspired by AD100 designer Ross Cassidy, to blend softness and comfort with practical luxury.

“It’s just so unexpected to have something soft where everything else is so hard and waterproof. It almost feels like you’re breaking the rules.”
— Jess (18:38)

---

5. Honorable Mentions: Guest Bath & Staircase

• Guest Bath:
  • Features playful, retro-inspired wallpaper and bold mosaic floor pattern, unafraid of color and visual punch.
  • Shower has creative stripe tile pattern, found by aligning lines with architectural elements or visual preference.
  • House name “House of Flora” inspired by the floral wallpaper.

“She’s not afraid of using pattern, which is really, really, I think, very timely right now.”
— Sue (23:58)

• Staircase Update:
  • Replaced tired antelope runner with a faux bois, green needlepoint runner.
  • Runner now follows the staircase’s widening curve, enhancing its grandness.
  • A charming “bedknobs and broomstick” brass detail on the new railing.

“When you do have the stair runner follow the arculation of the stairs…it makes the staircase feel so grand.”
— Jess (27:50)

---

6. Big Picture Remodel Takeaways

• Rethink unused or underutilized spaces based on current needs—don’t be afraid to take over bedrooms for closets, offices, or expanded suites.
• Personalization is a kind of self-care; give yourself a space that truly feels like you, especially for empty nesters.
• Mix large and small scale patterns and textures thoughtfully; custom details don’t have to mean expensive materials, just creative layout.

“There’s some square footage to be borrowed somewhere in that home and whatever phase you’re in, you know, to make life more lovely…”
— Sue (28:43)

• Set the stage for “the next chapter”—a home’s evolution is a chance to celebrate the current moment, not mourn what’s past.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the joy of a dedicated office:
  “Honestly, this room has the best view of the whole valley. And so I’m so glad that she was able to claim it as her own.”
  — Sue (08:23)

• About the ‘therapy’ of remodeling for empty nesters:
  “The project of becoming something different, I think would be really therapeutic.”
  — Jess (14:18)

• Chair in the bathroom inspiration:
  “Ever since [Ross Cassidy] said that, I was like, oh gosh, even if it’s only a dining size chair… just getting something soft in there I really like. I want to experiment with that.”
  — Jess (18:38)

• On living in the “now”:
  “It’s celebrating the point in life that they’re at, you know, rather than living in the past…”
  — Corey (26:47)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• House of Flora Project Introduction: 04:29
• Designing the Custom Office: 05:42 – 09:26
• Primary Suite & Bath Overhaul: 09:43 – 15:24
• Custom Floor Pattern & Bathroom Details: 17:10 – 21:59
• Guest Bath Redesign: 23:58 – 25:40
• Shower Tile Detailing Insights: 25:11 – 26:07
• Staircase Runner Transformation: 27:07 – 28:30
• Remodel Takeaways / Final Thoughts: 28:43 – end

---

In Summary

The House of Flora remodel masterclass is packed with approachable yet high-impact ideas for empty-nester home refreshes: re-claiming rooms, customizing storage, embracing expressive color and pattern, and adding luxurious comfort and personality throughout. The hosts champion the value of designing for your current lifestyle—remodeling not just for aesthetics, but for a joyful, meaningful next chapter in your home.

---

For more inspiration and visuals:
Explore the House of Flora project on Alice Lane’s portfolio and follow them on Instagram at @alicelanehome and @alicelaneinteriordesign.

Transcript

[Jess]

Hello everyone. Welcome to dear Alice. We are in February. Happy Valentine's Day. Coming up today is going to be another episode in our series of called remodel Masterclass. This is the fifth one and this is called House of Flora. This one lives on our portfolio and it's a remodel that we did in Utah. And I remember we got the first time consultation phone call from the client during the pandemic. Things were, it was like the summer, like June, July time frame and we went up to see the house for the first time. This is, I think, a story that so many of you can relate to. And so I'm excited to be able to, to have us all share just some of these remodel ticks, tips and tricks. If you guys are looking at making changes to your house this year or just even seeing things through a new lens. Not some of them, not super, super difficult. Some, some things the right way to do it, some smart space planning. And so we'll get into it. Buckle in for another remodeled masterclass. First up though, I wanted to tell you guys to check out our gift guides for Valentine's Day because we've got really beautiful gifting. Maybe a lot of you need to share the gift guides with your significant others. I think Alice Lane does a great job of thinking of those really beautiful gifts and details and things that all of us as women love.

[Sue]

In particular because we're all here at the table. We're all good at gifting, we're thoughtful.

[Corey]

I've gotten better because of you guys. I'm gonna say that.

[Sue]

I know. Seriously. And you can get better too. Stick with us. We got a gift guide for you.

[Jess]

I love it. Sue, tell about our free design service too.

[Sue]

Oh my gosh. This is another gift you should give her or him. Our free design services are home furnishings design. And it's so great because these are all qualified designers and the service is completely complimentary. So if you are looking to furnish a room in your home that has just like that hasn't worked correctly or you are empty nesters and it's time to reallocate your office to the guest bedroom. Whatever it is, we're here to help. We have qualified designers that are working on CAD that can put all of our vendors and the furniture thereof and all of our exclusives in these spaces. And you don't have to pay for the design services. You just get to buy the furniture and it's going to look amazing and you finally can get it done before people come into town for summer. Would that be fun.

[Jess]

So fun. Yes.

[Sue]

Happy Valentine's Day.

[Jess]

Happy Valentine's Day to you both.

[Sue]

How do you sign up for that? Is you go to alice lanehome.com on the design service tab. You can. You're just going to go down to our home furnishings design and you're going to fill out the application. We'll get to you within 24 hours.

[Jess]

Amazing. Thank you.

[Sue]

Freaky fast.

[Jess]

That is freaky.

[Sue]

I am on one today. Let's go really quick too.

[Jess]

I just wanted to put in a quick plug. I'm sure you've already watched it, but if you haven't. We started a new series called Dear Alice, the Reveal inside the Install. And this is us taking you inside of one of our installs at Alice Lane Interior Design. A new build. All of these homes are new builds. There's one remodel that's coming up where we took our cameras inside and we filmed a week long install. And the house that we just barely revealed, we actually revealed it on January 21st. So it's already on our YouTube. Go look for it. But it was a five year build that we did in Odessa, Texas and I cannot wait for you to see it. If you haven't seen it yet, that is a real treat for you to go watch after this. It's so beautiful. I'm so happy to finally be able to share, you know, in a real way, like what goes on inside of an install. And I think you're going to love that content.

[Corey]

The best part about it too is when you're doing the interviews and all, obviously all the footage and stuff, you're in the thick of the install at the time.

[Sue]

So we're glowy.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Sue]

In Odessa. It really is awesome.

[Jess]

Yes, for sure.

[Sue]

And you guys all love details and I'm like, that's why we're going to be going through this home to share some of the details. But this is a really visual way for you guys to see an experience that the details of what we do.

[Jess]

So yeah, yeah. It's like we took you with us. I've had so many people be like, if you ever need help on an install, I love interior design. I'd love to, to come slip the.

[Sue]

Bags or like whatever it is.

[Jess]

Legitimately had so many grown women that maybe have one kid left at home or that have always wanted to do it and they always like want to volunteer their services for an install. I'm like, we're literally moving a family in and it's 100 degrees and it's in the Middle of the desert. Are you sure you'd want to do that? So now we're finally like, okay, yeah, come help us with the install. Just come be a fly on the wal.

[Corey]

The labor pains and.

[Jess]

Exactly.

[Sue]

And in an air conditioned.

[Jess]

And you get to sleep in your own bed at night.

[Sue]

Yeah.

[Jess]

Anyway, so that's a real treat to watch. Dear Alice, the reveal. Okay, Corey, let's get into it.

[Corey]

Okay, so like Jess said, we're going to go over the House of Flora in our remodel masterclass series. This is our fifth one and you guys have enjoyed it, so thank you. Yeah, but see, let's take it away and let's tell the people about the project.

[Sue]

So the year's 2020. We get a call from the most darling client who is an empty nester. And I think as everybody knows, as you transition from one phase of life to another, your space changes, the function of it changes. And she was really ready to move on and kind of reclaim this space for herself because I. I can only imagine. I mean, I'm still in the thick of it. I still have three little boys. We'll start crying if we start thinking about the rooms being empty. I can't imagine that day when they're gone. There's probably a sense of hallelujah, but then tears at the end. You walk by those rooms and you kind of have to do something. You need a project to again reclaim it for yourself. And so that's what this client wanted to do. She. We did a few different spaces. We really just tackled. We didn't tackle the main level of the house, we tackled the upper level where her primary suite was. She always hated her primary bath and she always wanted an office for herself. So we played Tetris and that's what we're going to get into today, starting with her office. Shall we?

[Jess]

Let's do it.

[Sue]

Okay.

[Jess]

So this is like your typical bedroom. When you guys look at the floor plan, those of you that are watching on Spotify or YouTube, you can see the before on the left. It's just your basic bedroom. One window and then a closet that's Sheetrocked in and you've got sliding doors. So when we're looking at doing this space, I'm sure a lot of you would be tempted to try and keep the closet for storage. But if you will, get rid of that irregular architecture and give yourself the most beautiful vantage point coming into the room. You can see we were able in the new floor plan to come up with what looks like a recessed built in we furred out the walls a little bit on each side and then did beautiful custom cabinetry right in the center to house a tv. And then lots of storage for her things. And then it gave us the ability to float the desk in line with that window so she could look out and have a view.

[Sue]

So we're just going to go straight to the afters because the befores again were just a basic bedroom. But like you said, when you can have a built in to really identify what are your storage needs, what do you want this to have? Her biggest want. She's just like I want a place where I can have a little sofa or a chair and I can go sit and I can watch tv but I can also have a desk that I can be working at and my husband could come and hang out. And so they wanted a TV and she wanted. She is a collector. She just has like. If you go into her house, she's just like an anthropology of a thing. She dresses like that, she collects all the things and she's just the sweetheart of the ball. And so she just needed shelving to be able to display her life and her loves and just kind of be reminded, you know, of those prime years. So anyway, so that's what we did. So the cool thing about this built in that you're seeing on the screen is that we took up one whole end of this room and in the center we did. There's two doors that slide and that is what conceals the TV or exposes the tv which is really cool. If she's once. It's like look from property. She can close that up. You don't have to see the tv. You just have a lot of versatility to be able to close the built ins if they're not styled the way you want em to be and then.

[Corey]

They'Re not swung into the room. Taking up space and doing all that.

[Sue]

Yeah, yeah. I will say the. That sliding door is such a good real estate saver on the swing. Anyway, I'm just so happy with how this turned out. She has a desk, she has a little sofa. Okay. We actually have a little video showing kind of the operation of how those doors swing open. Clothes. But I was just so happy that she finally had a space that she can like call her own, that she can like do special projects in, write love notes, you know.

[Corey]

Command center.

[Sue]

Yeah, it's her command center. Other than having a little spot that every mom has by the kitchen, it's just like cluttered and filled with mail. Like can you Imagine just having a space.

[Jess]

Yes.

[Sue]

To just like kind of call your own. And honestly, this room has the best view of the whole valley. And so I'm so glad that she was able to claim it as her own.

[Jess]

I think another thing that's fun about having a space to call your own is that you can do a colored piece of cabinetry like this in a feminine color, like this beautiful plummy mauve tone antique mirror on the doors. And I also love that we furred in the walls and brought down the sheetrock down from the ceiling to do this little soffit to really make this cabinetry just truly, truly built in. And it's just so handsome. There's brass rod details, there's beautiful hardware, antique mirror, all the bells and whistles. It's just, it's is truly feminine. I think if this was a shared space or shared office, you'd probably be tempted to, you know, given to make it look more masculine or to make it look more unisex. And I think this is great that it can just be all you. There's not very many times in a home where you can do that as a married couple, you know. So when I look at this, it's just fully, fully her.

[Sue]

And it feels very custom.

[Jess]

Yes.

[Sue]

And it was very custom. Oh, I find. And our next space, this was probably the biggest portion of the remodel, was the whole primary suite. Now you guys probably, I don't know if you're like living in this. I. I think you mentioned you're like, oh my gosh, that looks like my mother's bathroom.

[Jess]

Yes.

[Sue]

I don't know.

[Jess]

This has to be the early 2000s when this house is built. If you're looking at this on screen, this is a vanity. That's a 90 degree angle. And then they have a little mitered corner in the middle where there's a tower, a cabinetry tower on top of the counters. And then you've got this sort of diagonal bank of drawers that lives in there on the 45. When you're getting ready, you're kind of bum to bum, you know, sort of getting rid of your mirrors. And there's sconces just up on top, shining down on it. So this, this arrangement just feels so dated. It's hard to get good lighting because the windows are behind you. She's got it painted dark green. And I just think there was such a great opportunity. There must have been something about irregular architecture in the 2000s that was really celebrated. Even jetted tub is sitting in there on a 45 degrees angle with lots of faceted angles around it. So this must have been something that was really beautiful to do back it.

[Corey]

I feel like they're trying to maximize space, but when you're there brushing your teeth, you feel like you're putting a corner, you know, on both sinks, too.

[Sue]

Talk about marital divide. Like, you don't even see your person in the mirror.

[Corey]

Serious. So I think they're trying to take advantage of, like, the corners of areas. And typically, you know, most people will like 45 that corner.

[Sue]

Yeah.

[Jess]

And this, if you are living like this, this will really set you free because you don't actually have to do that. And I think the space planning here is so, so smart. And we were able to take an extra bedroom. We're going to show you on plan view how we work this out. So take them through how we saw.

[Sue]

I was gonna say, I dare say with those clipped corners, that the same developer that, like, came up with those ideas also came up with the corner fireplace.

[Jess]

Yes, he did.

[Corey]

Yes, he did.

[Jess]

Okay, subscribe to that.

[Sue]

Okay, back to the programming. Okay, so this is a. Before on the screen showing what we just showed you in some pictures of how the bathroom sat originally with this kind of like, weird cornered shower. Again, quite small, you know, for like, it's a lovely dream home, like on the top of mountain. And it needed a larger space. And really she just needed more space with her vanity. And just. She didn't need this guest bedroom that was just adjacent to the primary bedroom. So we completely. We got rid of that wall, and we just joined forces with these two spaces, and it turned out really, really great. We had a water closet, potty closet, and the original. We did push that and move that up to grow her closet. They share a closet. Wasn't huge. So we were able to grow their primary closet. But then we're also able to get them, like, a really, like, lovely tub, you know. And the biggest thing, I think here is the vanities in front of the window. This was, I think, the biggest win. They have this incredible view, amazing light, and we're able to straighten those out so they could take advantage of the actual view. We had this vacant corner where they had these two corner windows where the jetted tub used to be that she's like, I would love to have a chair in here. So, like, if I'm getting ready and my husband's waiting for me, he has a place to sit and fancy, like, after all this was done, I'm like, what's your favorite spot? And she's like that corner chair in my bathroom. I go there all the time. That's where I doom scroll. That's where I shop, you know, and so she's not in her office. You'll often find her in this corner chair in her bathroom, like, just basking in the light because it's so beautiful.

[Corey]

I'm gonna say this too. This is my personal opinion. Every realtor probably is going to disagree with me, but I think taking over, especially an unused bedroom, if you do it right, you're not going to lose value.

[Jess]

Because think about who's buying the house. Yep. Who's buying the house is the mom and the dad. Right. They're the owners of the home, and this is their suite. And so they're like, I could. I could live this lifestyle rather than having an extra bedroom just for bedroom count. Being able to show this big, beautiful grand suite with all this space and all this natural light.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Jess]

That for sure would make me want to buy the house. And also, we got a bigger closet, which I know is really important to people today, too, is they look at the closets, they look at the primary suite, they look at the kitchen.

[Sue]

Right.

[Corey]

We have more stuff than ever. That's. That's the truth.

[Sue]

Consumers.

[Corey]

Yeah. I think taking that over and doing something useful with it, making great use of the space that you're putting in the guest bedroom, if anything, I think you're going to get more for it for sure.

[Sue]

And I'm. I know you say this all the time, Jess. You're just like, I'm ready to sell my house if I don't change something quick.

[Jess]

Yeah.

[Sue]

Like, this is something that they can grow. Well, you know, to end of life in because it's actually livable. And so, again, it's just going to bloom where you're planted. Whatever phase you're in, if you're planning on staying there and you're not worried about resale value, really think about, like, how can I live more beautifully? How can I live more smart, more better. Yeah, more better.

[Jess]

For sure. For sure. I've been watching my sister go through this empty nest phase this year, and she is Les Miserables. It is the saddest thing to witness. And there really is something about walking past empty bedrooms to get to your bedroom. And I was like, you've got to just change those bedrooms. You've got to turn it into a bigger closet or an office or a study or something that you would use. And also, the project of becoming something different, I think would be really therapeutic to you. Know, to get her mind off of the emptiness. You'd be so busy after a full day of work that you got to come home and make decisions. You don't have time to grieve. Exactly. And then pretty soon, it's this new chapter. You can go put your clothes in there and live this life. And her kids have rooms downstairs, and. And she doesn't need to look at these sad childhood bedrooms. They have a place to sleep if they want to come home for the holidays. But there really is something therapeutic about moving into a new chapter of your home as you do this with your life. And it was really fun to get to see her do this work and get to this next chapter and get to live so beautifully and. And see her love it.

[Corey]

Totally.

[Jess]

Yeah. Okay, you guys, I got a great idea for Valentine's this season.

[Corey]

Let's hear it.

[Jess]

Well, Cozy Earth is offering Bogo pajama deal. Did you know this?

[Sue]

No way.

[Jess]

They've never done it before. So Bogo means buy one, get one. So I'm gonna buy pajamas for me, and I'm also gonna buy a pair for my daughter Jane that lives at home, because what mom doesn't want to dress just like her daughter?

[Sue]

Exactly.

[Jess]

She's gonna hate it. She's 20. But she's gonna love the pajamas in.

[Sue]

The most comfortable jammies that ever existed on planet Earth.

[Jess]

The most comfortable pajamas.

[Sue]

Oh, you want to know who I'm gonna give mine to?

[Jess]

Who?

[Sue]

My mom and my sister. Which means I get two pair and they each get one. Oh, my. Of the most comfortable pajamas that's on planet Earth.

[Jess]

Seriously, though, these are so lightweight and cozy, and I like how tailored they look. You know me. I want to still look good, even in my pajamas. The little piping around the collar.

[Sue]

I like the draping, too.

[Jess]

I think so, too. I have not seen these not look good on anybody. They drape beautifully. They're so soft. Also, they're cooler than cotton, which is very important.

[Sue]

And the color fast.

[Jess]

The color fast.

[Sue]

Yes. Stay the same color, and they do not peel years later. I tell you what.

[Jess]

Yes, I agree. So comfortable. You look chic in them. You wake up feeling good. I'm in love with the pajamas and love that there's a Bogo going on.

[Corey]

These viral PJs are so good that they sold out during the holidays, and now they're back with an exclusive deal only available January 25th to February 8th. Head to cozyearth.com today and use our code, Dear Alice Bogo, to get these PJs for you and someone you love. And if you get a post purchase survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here. Celebrate everyday love with comfort. That makes the little moments count.

[Sue]

Here are some of the after pictures that we're looking at. If you're not viewing this, if you're listening to this in your car, do pull over or come back and revisit the pictures because they really are beautiful. Again, it's on our portfolio. It's our House of Flora project. But I think again, I think we did it in a really beautiful and not like irresponsible way, you know. Yes, we do have slab, but this kind of shows you. This is, I think my favorite elevation.

[Corey]

Those doors.

[Sue]

Yeah. The actual cabinetry I think is something to really like stop and zoom in on. But just so much storage space, so much light. She, I think again, every woman's dream is to have this drop down vanity. This is kind of like your bathroom, Jess, where you have that sitting between the two sinks and it sits right in front of a window. Like. And one fun thing, she's like, I take my little granddaughter up here and I do her hair right here. And so I'm just like, just great. Anyway, she's proud of it. Her family gets to appreciate it, you know, in this new phase of life.

[Corey]

So making new memories in the same space, just using it differently. Well, pass that on, Colleen.

[Sue]

Yeah, I know. I love that. I love that. Here's that chair just basking that corner with her tree. So beautiful.

[Corey]

The tree is so dope, by the way.

[Sue]

So great.

[Corey]

It's a really good one, especially in the bathroom. That's. Yeah, that's what it needs.

[Jess]

Those of you that love design are probably aware of a designer called Ross Cassidy. He's one of the AD100 designers and recently watched him shop Round Top, Texas.

[Sue]

How fun.

[Jess]

And he was just saying how he loves. One of his favorite designer tricks is to put a chair in a bathroom. And I think it's just so unexpected to have something soft where everything else is so hard and waterproof. It almost feels like you're breaking the rules. Ever since he said that, I was like, oh gosh. Even if it's only a dining size chair or something very petite, just getting something soft in there I really like. Okay, I want to experiment with that. I want to get a chair in my bathroom this year. I got to find the right space to tuck it. But I just love so much that hers isn't just a dining type chair. It's an actual full Lounge, swivel chair where she can just really get comfortable, bask in the light like a cat.

[Sue]

And just pulls her legs up on there. Yeah, it's the best.

[Jess]

Beautiful. What a luxury.

[Sue]

And also this. Let's talk about the floor pattern too. That deserves a mention. We did a large format, but again, this is just straight cuts on like square linear tiles. And so you're able to do really cool. We did this like zipper pattern, like within. You can see a couple of the repeats, like when you get to the tub portion. But so it's basically two tiles.

[Jess]

This is a custom floor pattern that we did. We always will do this in people's entries where we take large format marble tiles in two or three colors and create our own sort of geometry. And then we'll show the tile setter and it's really simple cuts to be able to make a custom pattern. But the payoff is so huge. So this is a custom pattern and sue is going to tell you how we achieved it happen.

[Sue]

So These are large 12x24 tiles as the majority of the field here. But then we did the zipper pattern, I think, I believe it was like a 12 by 12. And then we cut that into 3. I could become like a 4 by 12 to create this kind of offset pathway as you go into the space. And I just think it feels so graphic, so cool. Again, they're. They're fun. They're a really fun couple and a fun family. And so they deserve to have something that was felt reinvented.

[Corey]

And then when you say they're all straight cuts, that's just like alluding to. It's not crazy hard to do. So it's not going to break the bank.

[Sue]

Yeah.

[Corey]

To apply a pattern like that.

[Sue]

The fabrication, we didn't do any radiuses or anything. We try whenever we do this, just because we do get the backlash from builders and saying, oh, the designer specified an An Sachs. Again, you know, it's gonna. That's gonna cost you. So whenever you can do like a large, like, again, square, rectangular tile that you love and you can just do straight cuts onto that in like the divisions, then you don't have any waste and you can, you know, make a really cool, I think, statement in your.

[Jess]

Space for fun, go back to the plan view because you can see the zipper pattern and how that lays out on plan.

[Sue]

Yep.

[Jess]

I just think that's so fun to look at from an aerial point of view.

[Sue]

Great.

[Jess]

Yeah.

[Corey]

It's just way more interesting than doing it like a, you know, offset.

[Jess]

And I think In a large space, you want to do a large pattern, Right. Small space, like the potty closet. You can see here on Plan View and in the shower that you've got a small pattern. So that's easy to remember if you're embarking on your own remodel. Maybe you're not a designer, but you love design and you're trying to figure out what to do. That's a pretty easy rule to remember that in your large spaces, you're going to go large format. You would never, ever, ever want to see a penny tile in a huge space, like that whole primary bath. But you could see it on the floor in a shower or in a potty closet or a small mosaic or something like that.

[Sue]

Yeah. And kind of to your point of just, like, experimenting with, like, the chair in the space, we were able to fit, like, again, that large chair, but we were also able to fit, like, a really large etager. You know, again, she has a lot of collections. She wanted a place to, like, stack all of her towels and just, like, have a few more love mementos while she sits and bask like a glorious cat. She is. And anyway, we were able to fit large furniture in a space because we had. I don't know, we had the ability to. Because we took that whole room over. Didn't get a great picture of it. But on the screen, you'll see her potty closet, where it has that small tile on the floor, um, and it has a wallpaper. We always. 100 of the time in your primary closet, we'll take the potty closet and we'll put a wallpaper there. Just because it is. It's the pocket square. We do it in the main powder and in these. Like, when you have, like, a private little, like, water closet as part of your. Part of your suite, sometimes people have two. We'll always do a wallpaper in there because otherwise you just have, like, or blank walls and a blank ceiling. So do something fun. So this kind of gives you a shot of that, and then these are just a couple shots in the bedroom. We didn't do too much over here, aside from refurn and repurpose some of her existing pieces, but just by painting the walls and doing new drapery and just, like, filling in the gaps to like, make it feel complete. It's so luxurious, and I'm so happy for them at the end of the day that they get to come here. So that is the primary suite. One honorable I actually have two honorable mentions. This is that a little guest bath. Before again pretty ho hum. Nothing to you know, write home about on the before pictures that we're looking at. Again it's pretty basic. If you're listening, definitely pay attention because we went. She's like I want to do something really fun. I love flowers. She gave us like her like pieces in her wardrobe of colors that she loved. And she's not afraid of using pattern which is really, really I think very timely right now for pattern being such a hot thing to really pay attention to the visuals on this one. But we did this like really kind of retro wallpaper in this floor. And this is kind of what inspired the House of Flora was this wallpaper for the naming the whole home. And again those small doing like a large pattern but with a small kind of get the best of both worlds on this tile pattern mosaic on the flooring. And then we anyway just everything about this I just think is just so much fun. I think people are going to freak out when they see this and it makes me want to redo my bathroom again.

[Corey]

And even though you have small little tiles in here, the repeat is big.

[Sue]

The graphic is great.

[Jess]

Y almost feels like a Roman bath or something. With a large pattern made up of small little marble mosaics. It's just so lovely and it, it brought color in which related back to the walls and feels like it could be here for a hundred years. Yeah, I love how this turned out.

[Sue]

Me too. And then here's in the shower. Isn't that cute? Just like the striping. You can be really creative, you know. Again, didn't break the bank but just like by adding like little liners, you know, framing your niche and like just kind of creating a stripe pattern is just such a fun way to make it feel really, really custom, you know. But it's just all you have to do is just give the directive to the installer.

[Corey]

How do you find those like cutoff points do you think like where you're adding the band?

[Sue]

Usually it's like with if you have like windows, like we'll line it up with that. Usually with like architecture things that are happening in the rest of the room or sometimes it's just a visual thing, you know, like you'll have one, you know that like if you have a tub shower like this one, you know, that kind of gives you one line you kind of offset from there. So we've done like a consistent stripe before. This one is a little bit less consistent regular, which I think feels like her, you know, like she wouldn't want.

[Corey]

Something that's so mathematical.

[Sue]

Yeah. So it's math. Yeah. She's a lot more fun than that. So in the emerald green, there is something about showering and, like, a deep tile.

[Jess]

So pretty. This feels like an old swimming club or something. It's just so handsome.

[Sue]

And the glossiness of that tile and the regularity of it.

[Jess]

Something really retro about these long, skinny subways. But the glaze is pooling differently in each one, and. Yeah. Just feels like you would call sea kelp. It's just beautiful.

[Sue]

I love it. And what's so fun, even, like, with, you know, empty nester. How fun for her daughter to come back to this space with her daughter.

[Jess]

Yes.

[Sue]

And just, like, to just share that joy of just, like, being renewed and, like, this, like, whole new version of you. I just. I just love it so much. It makes me look forward to that time in my life and be like, well, what does that look like?

[Jess]

I also feel. It will feel like mom and dad aren't getting old.

[Sue]

You know what I mean?

[Jess]

That we're going back to their old house, and. Oh, yeah, I remember this old faucet and still leaks.

[Sue]

Yeah.

[Jess]

That you come back, and it's your. Your old house, but it's reimagined in a new way, and it just. I don't know, it feels fresh and young and. And hip. Just like the mom and dad.

[Corey]

It's celebrating the point in life that they're at.

[Jess]

Yeah.

[Corey]

You know, rather than living in the past, that's what I'm trying to do with my kids. It's like, you know, there's some stages that are harder than others, and I'm just like, I'm just gonna try to enjoy every single stage and celebrate that. And, yeah, so far, I mean, it's led to a happier and easier mindset for me.

[Sue]

Yeah. So it's joyful. Absolutely joyful. Last honorable mention that I think everybody can do that has a staircase is y' all can get a new runner. She had a really lovely antelope. I think we've all seen it. We're very familiar with it. And she was just sick of it. She just wanted something new. Her favorite color is green. And so we found this faux bois gre, almost needle point runner. And a couple things that we did. Again, it's not a crazy transfer. We didn't do anything like, any heavy lifting here. We replaced the runner, and we extended that angle because before the runner just went straight down. It didn't, like, extend the width that it was available in. But we actually, like, took that and like followed the curve narrower.

[Jess]

The staircase looks on the left before.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Jess]

It's just way under living its potential. And when you do have the stair runner, follow the arculation of the stairs that slightly get wider at the end. It makes the staircase feel so grand.

[Corey]

Yeah. And then you don't feel pushed up against the wall as you're walking up, you know?

[Jess]

Yeah. And oddly the. The antelope feels so drab. And it could be that it was just lived on for a decade, but that that faux bois needle point just feels so original and interesting. And the new railing. Yes, beautiful.

[Sue]

Yeah, we did do a new railing again. That little brass ball. She just needed this bed knobs and broomstick moment like at the corner there. And anyway, just like gave her kind of a fresh lace on. What was old is now new. So.

[Jess]

Yeah, so that's. I mean if Nothing else, in 2026 you could just do a new stair runner or a stair runner if you don't have one. That just absolutely makes it feel like a brand new entry. Yeah, yeah, it's great.

[Sue]

Okay. And I think the biggest takeaway, I think for us to all think about is like, what would we do with those rooms? You know, what could we do with those rooms? What is it adjacent to that or what's not working in our current rhythm? We want it to work better because I guarantee you that there's some square footage to be borrowed somewhere in that home and whatever phase you're in, you know, to like make life, you know.

[Corey]

More lovely and then dreaming of. That's the fun.

[Sue]

Oh my gosh. Yeah. Like window shopping in your own house, you know, and dreaming of the day. Start your Pinterest boards. Yeah, that's House of floor.

[Corey]

You guys did a great job as always.

[Jess]

Oh, so good. Well, if you guys have any questions or episode ideas that you wish you'd cover, just send those to Dear [e-mail] we'd love it if you would leave us a five star review. How do they leave a review, Corey?

[Corey]

So if you go to our Dear Alice page on Apple and you scroll down just above where the reviews are, it'll. There will be a little blue or purple icon that says ride review. Click on that, that. Fill it out and hit post.

[Jess]

Amazing. Or if you're on Spotify or on YouTube, we'd love to hear from you there as well.

[Corey]

Write some comments.

[Jess]

Yes, write some comments and ask us questions.

[Sue]

Yeah, that's how this started.

[Jess]

Exactly. Just a quick reminder to the listeners to have your partners shop the Valentine's gift guide and get you guys something really nice for the New year. If you're not already following us on Instagram, our handle is at Alice Lane Home. And our interior design handle, where we're working on projects, is at Alice Lane Interior Design. So go check us out there. Thanks again for listening, guys. We'll catch you next time. Hey, thanks for listening. If you like our show, please leave a five star rating.